The abs, like any other muscle group, will always receive the best foundation when worked as part of compound training. I have been doing hundreds of crunches and many different variations of sit-ups for years, but what has really developed my abs (in correct proportion to the rest of my mass) is solid compound exercises.
For example - a good push-up with the absolute correct form (back completely straight and core aligned) should work your abs hard in conjunction with your chest, shoulders, back and arms working as a unit. If you follow this by doing pull ups, especially with your legs out at a 90 degree angle, this also works your abs hard in conjunction with chest, shoulders, back and arms working as a unit.
AFTER I have worked these exercises hard to exhaustion, then and only then do I isolate the abs with specific crunches and other floor work. When muscles are trained in compound exercises they work harder for each other, which is how you will allign your ab development with (to use your example) your chest development.
Its just like weight training. You can stand and do dumbell bicep curls all day long, but your body just doesn't work like that. You need a solid foundation of compound exercises that drive your overall muscle mass first, then isolate specific areas as a supplement. Just think of your abs in the same way - use solid full bodyweight training as your base, then carve them out with the specifics. |